Duality of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde

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In the novel of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stevenson uses religion to show the dual nature in man. In an article written by Caroline Hedlund, she states how “religions all over the world appear to have one aspect in common; that is dualism.” In 1886, the people of London considered religion a necessity to society, but viewed their religions as something that made them weak. Throughout the novel, Stevenson illustrates how religion also made Dr. Jekyll weak. In religion such as christianity, the bible tells us what is viewed as right and wrong. With this knowledge, Christians gain consciousness of the consequences that could be avoided by following what the Bible teaches. This knowledge of right and wrong allows for Jekyll to observe what things he needed to do to avoid being caught. As a result, Dr. Jekyll creates Mr. Hyde who lacks this knowledge of what is wrong and right leading him into killing Mr. Carew.

Throughout the novel, Stevenson scrutinizes the idea of duality in man’s nature. The main cause for this dual nature within us is the result of society pressuring us into acting or doing things to please of the world. As a result of society not viewing the evil within Dr. Jekyll as acceptable, he feels it necessary for the evil side to be separated and created as another individual known as Mr. Hyde. Stevenson later uses Dr. Jekyll to illustrate how the knowledge of right and wrong leads Hyde, who lacks this knowledge, into killing a well respected man. Because Hyde did not follow the teachings of right and wrong in the Bible, he received the consequence of a death.

Works Cited

Hedlund, Caroline. "The split human mind and the portrayal of good and evil in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde & Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray." (2016).

Stevenson, Robert Louis, and Jenny Davidson. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories. New York: Barnes & Noble, n.d. Print.

"1 Corinthians." Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1996. 927. Print.

Mack, Valerie '16, "Reputation and Social Perfection: The Social Creation of Mr. Hyde" (2012). Outstanding Gateway Papers. Paper 2.

http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/gateway/2